Starting in 2016, Sound Transit's University Link light rail extension will connect the University District with Capitol Hill, downtown Seattle, Rainier Valley, and Sea-Tac Airport. Metro and Sound Transit are thinking about ways to connect the new light rail service with buses to make an efficient network of service. The Link extension will add two stations: one on Capitol Hill, at Broadway and E John Street, and one at the University of Washington's Husky Stadium. Light rail will offer an eight-minute trip between the University of Washington and downtown Seattle.

Metro and Sound Transit have developed two alternative concepts for how bus service could be integrated with light rail. These concepts include new and improved connections and changes to make bus service more efficient, reliable, and easy to use and will affect many Eastside commuter routes.

Summary of Changes for 255 Riders

Alternative 1 - Revise to serve the University District and Children’s Hospital to reduce duplication and provide new connections across Lake Washington. Delete service north of Totem Lake Transit Center. New Route 256 will provide two-way service between downtown Seattle, the South Kirkland Park-and-Ride, and downtown Kirkland. North of Totem Lake, riders use routes 235 or 236. To downtown Seattle, use Route 256 during peak periods or transfer to Link light rail at University of Washington Station. Create new Route 256 to provide two-way service between downtown Seattle, South Kirkland Park-and-Ride, and downtown Kirkland during peak periods.

Alternative 2 - No change

For more information check out Link connections webpage.Changes to route 255 can be found here.The proposed 256 route details can be found here.Overall changes can be explored easily on an interactive map found here.And finally, Metro would love to hear from you by attending a meeting or taking their survey found here.One more link to the Seattle Transit Blog article discussing the proposed changes to the Eastside commuter routes.

I am very likely to stop using public transit if these proposed changes are implemented. The commute from Kirkland to Seattle is already very challenging without the addition of a transfer at the U or the additional time of a bunch of surface stops on downtown streets. Metro really need to be looking at ways to improved the commute experience and time not looks at ways to justify addition of light rail to the menu. Light rail will be a great option for us once it comes to the east side. Unless metro can prove it will shorten the existing commute time, don't force us to start taking it before it is a convenience to those of us on the east side.

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Colby

5/31/2016 05:04:06 pm

I have taken the 255 for over 5 years to get between my office in the Juanita Beach area and downtown. If the 255 had a connection to UW Station I would definitely transfer there and switch to the Link to get downtown to avoid the 520 to i5 hell everyday. I've tried walking to UW Station from Montlake, but the half mile walk kills the time savings of taking the rail...

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